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Bethancourt Braves' Futures Game rep

Bethancourt Braves' Futures Game rep

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Bethancourt's two hits 0:22

3/17/12: Braves prospect Christian Bethancourt collects two singles in the game

By Mark Bowman
/
MLB.com |

NEW YORK -- While experiencing his first Major League Spring Training this year, Christian Bethancourt showed why many regard him as such as promising prospect. Now, the athletic catcher will have a chance to be spotlighted in the game's premier event for top prospects.

Bethancourt has been selected to play for the World Team in this year's Sirius XM All-Star Futures Game. The 20-year-old catcher will be the only Braves representative at the game, which will be played during All-Star Weekend at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

Gifted with a strong arm and impressive athleticism, Bethancourt has batted .255 with a .283 on-base percentage and a .276 slugging percentage through 41 games for Double-A Mississippi this year. The slow start at the plate is not too surprising. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Bethancourt has always been regarded as a good defensive catcher who has occasionally shown the ability to hit.

Bethancourt had six hits, including a double and a home run, in 15 at-bats during the exhibition season. But the 20-year-old catcher made his greatest impression with his quick feet and strong arm. The Braves timed at least two of his throws to second base at a very impressive 1.84 seconds during Grapefruit League action.

The 14th annual Sirius XM All-Star Futures Game can be seen live on MLB.TV, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD and followed live on MLB.com's Gameday on Sunday, July 8, at 5 p.m. ET. In addition, XM Radio will broadcast play-by-play coverage of the event live on MLB Network Radio XM 89. MLB.com will also provide complete coverage before, during and after the game. Fans can stay updated by following @MLBFutures on Twitter and can send/receive tweets to/from the U.S. and World team dugouts during the game by following @USDugout and @WorldDugout.

Major League Baseball -- along with the Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau, MLB.com, Baseball America and the 30 Major League baseball clubs -- selected the 25-man rosters.

Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.